Europeans’ holidays, more green and “disconnected”

In Europe, there is a growing desire to travel and, at the same time, the need to do so safely, thanks to the protection offered by products that can cover possible unforeseen circumstances, from healthcare to transportation.

This search for protection is the distinctive characteristic of travellers that emerges from the “Holidays Barometer”, created by Ipsos for Europ Assistance and now in its 19th edition.

Thus, the issue of prevention is fundamental for holidays: the quintessential time of the year when one wishes to escape the problems of everyday life and, for precisely this reason, insurance becomes as a key element in protecting oneself from the unexpected.

 

But what concern European citizens the most?

 

Health is at the top of the list. In fact, 66% of those interviewed stated that they would get insurance prior to leaving in case of health problems for themselves or their travelling companions. In second place, a vehicle breakdown, indicated by 66% of the respondents. But Europeans do not appear to underestimate the value of things they leave behind: 65% say they protect their homes when they are preparing to leave.

Therefore, the cultural approach to travel insurance is common in Europe, though still not widespread in Italy.

Italians, although aware of the various problems that can potentially be encountered while travelling, still demonstrate a certain disinterest regarding the possibility of taking out a travel policy.

In general, the problem for which Italians have the most insurance before leaving is possible damage to the car (48%) followed by a problem with public transportation (43%, up two points compared to the 2018 survey) and insurance for health problems for themselves or travelling companions (42%).

 

However, one surprising fact concerns the aspect of travel insurance coverage: the majority of both millennials (44%) and over-65s (40%) state that they have not considered it.

Furthermore, there are differences between age groups in terms of purchasing channel: a higher average age corresponds to a greater propensity to purchase from the insurance company, while the younger target market tends to more easily make use of comparative websites and travel agents (while maintaining the insurance company as the first choice).

 

Broadening the perspective, the Ipsos survey for Europ Assistance explores different aspects of “Europeans on the move”, starting from the budget and the effective economic possibilities.

Overall, around 63% of Europeans state that they will go on vacation this summer, a slight increase that confirms a positive trend that has persisted since 2016; for Italians the percentage is 61%.

An interesting fact: Austrian holidaymakers are the most numerous (70%), while the Spanish and Portuguese are least inclined to take holidays this year (60%).

 

In terms of spending capacity, the average budget in Europe amounts to € 2,019 (+3% over 2018), with substantial growth of +10% for France and +8% for Spain. For the summer holidays, Italians are below the European average (€ 1,757), a slight decrease compared to 2018 (-1%).

One of the most interesting changes that emerges from the report is undoubtedly the growing attention to the environment.

For 70% of the Italians interviewed, the ecological footprint of the trip is a factor that weighs on the choice and organisation of the holiday: it is fundamental for 24%, important for 46%.  

 

Along with greater awareness of the environmental issue, a new trend is also growing: the desire to disconnect. The wish to limit the use of devices is combined with the growing tendency to want to completely detach from work. 69% of Europeans declare that they intend to disconnect and completely forget their professional duties whilst on holiday, in order to dedicate themselves to total relaxation and family.

The British are the most determined to completely detach (76%), followed by French (71%) and Germans (70%); Italians are around 67%. Among those least interested in disconnecting are the Belgians (59%) and Swiss (61%).